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Buttes Chaumont Park

The Buttes-Chaumont Park, in the north-east of Paris, is one of the biggest and original green spaces in Paris, measuring 25 hectares. Its construction on quarries explains its impressive steepness and change in levels and heights. Visitors can appreciate stunning views of the city from this hilly setting, especially in the Montmartre district. The layout gives it a particular charm: caves and waterfalls, a suspended bridge, and a high viewpoint. It is brightened up with exotic, indigenous trees and numerous birds (seagulls, moorhens, and mallard ducks) share the area and enjoy the artificial lake. Entertainment for children also takes place in the park and there are break areas where you can get something to eat.

Bassin de La Villette

At 800 metres long and 70 metres wide, the Bassin de la Villette is the biggest artificial stretch of water in Paris linking the canal de l’Ourcq to the canal Saint-Martin and thus developing fluvial transport. Numerous cultural activities (shows, concerts, theatre productions) make this canal basin a festive place, very popular with Parisians.

Canal Saint Martin

Extending over 4.5 km, of which 2 are underground, the canal has linked the Port de l’Arsenal to the La Villette canal basin since 1825. Its course across working class areas punctuated with locks, swing bridges, Venetian-style footbridges, and lined with chestnut trees and squares inspired Georges Simenon, Léo Malet and Marcel Carné in the film Hôtel du Nord. Not surprisingly, serenades by the water and supper under the stars have become an institution here, as have brunches, delightful retro bistros and colourful eateries on both sides of the canal banks.